Plain and simple, lift the weight!

Powerlifter, Strongman and Bodybuilders all have many training techniques in common and they can carry over to each individual sport.  I feel that I have found a balance of training in the the "grey" area, other than black or white.  I have really tried adapt my training method to suit my needs and I really feel that the variations and methods I use have really helped me improve on my physique and in this sport on a yearly basis. Most importantly I love training this way and when it comes down to it....if its not fun, then why do we do it?  I'm not saying that training this way is great for everyone, all I am saying is to find what works for you and you enjoy doing...then run with it!


Training has been rolling right along and I hit a low of 203.0lbs this week.  Overall I am feeling great and here are a few training highlights from this past week.

-Luke

8 to go! Never settle....

One thing that is really hitting me this prep is the mentality to never settle for anything less than your best.  It doesn't matter what others think or say, just as long as you personally know you didn't just settle for anything.  Bodybuilding is actually more mental than most would care to admit and what separates most competitors is the ability to break through barriers mentally before physically.  If you say "never"...then you never will.

Progress for me at this point is slow, but steady.  I am staying consistent and trying to keep as much strength as possible. Here is a highlight from my deficit deadlifts this past Wednesday as well as my comparison pictures from my 2010 prep.  I also finished this week with a low of 203.6lbs.  I still have a long way to go, but I am closer than I was yesterday.

2010

2012

Yesterday marked the 8 week out point and I was able to meet up with Cohn Wolfe, a fellow bodybuilder and good friend for some legs.  We didn't really keep track of sets or reps but here is some footage from our Safety Bar squats.

-Luke

Mental Toughness

This past week has been a little harder mentally than usual, but I finally broke through.  I weighed in at 204.6lbs 9 weeks out and progress is really picking up steam.  For those of you who have prepped before you all know about some of the mind tricks that take place during a sticking point of your prep.  You may question your calorie intake or amount of cardio your doing, but when it comes down to it all you have to do is stick to the plan that you have set in place and you will push through with no problem. All I know is I could not do this without the help of Tara and her watchful eye on monitoring my progress.  It makes all the difference in the world to know I have her backing me in my corner as well as all of your support.  No matter the outcome of each training session, as long as I give my absolute all at the time I will improve in more areas than one.

Despite the mental toughness this past week, I have actually had some amazing workouts.  Here are some highlights from this past week.

*Warm-ups excluded

Safety Bar Squats- 4x8@335
BB Lunges- 4x12@135 (Pauses on each step at bottom)
V-Squat- 4x8
Leg Extensions- 4x10 / 2x12

-Luke

10 week out comparison

10 Weeks out from the 2012 IFPA Pro USA

Progress has been rolling right along and my weight is sitting just at 206lbs.  I am passing the 10 week out mark for my first show, so today just before cardio Tara was able to take a few progress pictures for comparison from my last prep.  I had many areas I wanted to improve on this past offseason and now is when I can start to see if I have made any progress towards those goals of improvement.  Progress is made a day at a time, the key is to be consistent and it will come.

2010 Prep

2012 Prep









































































Also, here are a few training highlights from this past week.

Had a great one and here's how it went.....

*Warm-ups excluded

Leg Press- 4x10
Hack Squat + Bands- 2x10 / 3x8
Smithmachine Lunge- 4x8 1x12
Leg Extensions- 4x10 / 1x8

-Luke